1 Corinthians5
New International Version
1It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife.
2And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this?
3For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this.
4So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present,
5hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.
6Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough?
7Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
8Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
9I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—
10not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.
11But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.
12What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
13God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Corinthians 5.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The apostle blames the Corinthians for connivance at an incestuous person; (1–8). and directs their behaviour towards those guilty of scandalous crimes. (9–13).
vv1-8
The apostle notices a flagrant abuse, winked at by the Corinthians. Party spirit, and a false notion of Christian liberty, seem to have saved the offender from censure. Grievous indeed is it that crimes should sometimes be committed by professors of the gospel, of which even heathens would be ashamed. Spiritual pride and false doctrines tend to bring in, and to spread such scandals. How dreadful the effects of sin! The devil reigns where Christ does not. And a man is in his kingdom, and under his power, when not in Christ. The bad example of a man of influence is very mischievous; it spreads far and wide. Corrupt principles and examples, if not corrected, would hurt the whole church. Believers must have new hearts, and lead new lives. Their common conversation and religious deeds must be holy. So far is the sacrifice of Christ our Passover for us, from rendering personal and public holiness unnecessary, that it furnishes powerful reasons and motives for it. Without holiness we can neither live by faith in him, nor join in his ordinances with comfort and profit.
vv9-13
Christians are to avoid familiar converse with all who disgrace the Christian name. Such are only fit companions for their brethren in sin, and to such company they should be left, whenever it is possible to do so. Alas, that there are many called Christians, whose conversation is more dangerous than that of heathens!
Key Words
ὅλως (hólōs): completely, i.e. altogether; (by analogy), everywhere; (negatively) not by any means
ἀκούω (akoúō): to hear (in various senses)
πορνεία (porneía): harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively, idolatry
ἐν (en): "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
ὑμῖν (hymîn): to (with or by) you
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὅστις (hóstis): which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same
ὀνομάζω (onomázō): to name, i.e. assign an appellation; by extension, to utter, mention, profess
οὐδέ (oudé): not however, i.e. neither, nor, not even
ἔθνος (éthnos): a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
Cross References
1 Corinthians 5Old Testament law defining and forbidding the incestuous act of having one's father's wife.
Supported by JFB
Paul's later reference to this specific situation, referring to the one who suffered the wrong.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
A parallel apostolic act of delivering blasphemers to Satan for discipline.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The original Passover ordinance requiring the absolute purging of leaven from the house.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Christ's foundational instruction on church discipline and treating the unrepentant as an outsider.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Paul uses the exact same proverbial phrase: 'a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.'
Supported by Matthew Henry
The historical sin of Reuben lying with his father's concubine, a notable Old Testament parallel.
Supported by John Calvin
The Mosaic curse pronounced on anyone who lies with his father's wife.
Supported by JFB
Parallel expression of being absent in body but present in spirit with a church.
Supported by JFB
Christ's promise to be present in power where his church is gathered in his name.
Supported by JFB
The corporate punishment inflicted by the majority on this offender, leading to his restoration.
Supported by JFB
The standard Deuteronomic formula for purging evil: 'put away the evil from among you.'
Supported by Matthew Poole
Connects back to the Corinthians' prideful state of being 'puffed up' in Paul's absence.
Supported by Matthew Poole
An Old Testament example of a sinner being subjected to the power of Satan.
Supported by JFB
Identifies Christ directly as the sacrificial Lamb of God, fulfilling the Passover type.
Supported by JFB